What to Do When Your Uber or Lyft Driver Gets in an Accident

Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft continue to increase in popularity. With their competitive prices and convenience, they are rapidly replacing taxi cabs in South Florida.

However, Uber and Lyft drivers continue to get in accidents, and passengers can easily be injured. If your driver gets involved in a collision, remember to take the following steps to protect your right to compensation.

Attend to Anyone Injured

With luck, no one will suffer a life-threatening injury. However, fractures, sprains, and traumatic brain injuries are fairly common in car accidents and can quickly worsen if not treated promptly. If necessary, call emergency services to come to the scene of the accident.

Get Everyone’s Insurance Information

Florida is a no-fault state, meaning that injured motorists initially contact their own insurer to tap personal injury protection (PIP) benefits to pay for medical care or replace lost wages. However, PIP benefits might not cover your injuries, so you can pursue additional compensation from the driver responsible for the crash.

In an Uber or Lyft accident, either your driver or another motorist might be responsible. Rather than try to determine fault at the scene of the accident, ask for the insurance information for each driver. You might need to make a claim with either one or both.

Call the Police

A police officer will come out and write up a police report about the accident. This report will contain important information, such as:

The time, date, and location of the accident

The identities of everyone involved in the crash

The identification of any witnesses to the collision

Without a police report, it can be hard to establish whether an accident even occurred and who was involved, so definitely call the police if no one else at the scene has already done so.

Document the Accident

As you wait for the police to arrive, you can begin collecting important information:

With your phone, take pictures of the damage on the vehicles (if you are able to move around).

Take pictures of any debris in the road or anything you think might have contributed to the accident, such as a malfunctioning traffic light.

Document what you think happened. You can write down who you think is responsible for the accident and how it unfolded.

This evidence will help the insurance companies determine who is at fault for your injuries. As a passenger in Lyft or Uber, you certainly are not responsible for the accident, so your memories might carry greater weight because you are an objective observer.

Speak with a Miami Uber Accident Attorney

Receiving compensation after an accident is rarely easy. Instead, some insurance companies play hardball and try to deny claims, or they drown you in paperwork so that you give up before receiving a fair settlement.

At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum, our Miami Lyft accident attorneys are prepared to help you get the compensation you need, whether to pay for medical bills, replace lost wages, or compensate you for pain and suffering. Speak to one of our attorneys by calling 305-371-2692 or submit an online message. Our initial case evaluations are free.